11-11-2008, 06:51 AM
HALF MARATHON
Merga reaps capital benefit
Mergia Claims Women’s Crown Despite Running On Injured Leg
Source - epaper.timesofindia.com.
He missed out on a medal at the Beijing Olympics by a whisker. But on Sunday, Deriba Merga did not let that happen again as he held his nerve to emerge victorious in the men's category of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday.
It could well have been yet another case of so near yet so far for the Ethiopian, who was leading at one stage in the marathon event at the Olympics in August but subsequently finished fourth after failing to push himself in the last 400 metres. The 28-year-old, however, gave his best shot in the final moments here to emerge champion with a personal best timing of 59:15 minutes in the $210,000 event. His feat also was a new meet record and the first time that a
sub-60 minute timing was achieved in this event. Wilson Kipsang (59:15) and Wilson Chebet (59:34), both from Kenya, took the second and third positions respectively.
In the women's section, runners from Ethiopia dominated the closely fought contest with Aselefech Mergia winning the gold with a timing of 68:17 minutes followed by compatriot Genet Getenet (68:18). Third place went to Peninah Arusei (68:20) of Kenya. Both the men's and women's winners were richer by $25,000 each. Sandeep Kumar (64:53), Kashinath (64:58) and Deep Chand (64:56) took the first three positions in Indian men's category. Honours in the Indian women section went to defending champion Kavitha Raut (77:12), Preethi Rao (77:20) and Sudha Singh (77:39). Sandeep and Kavitha earned $4,000 each for their efforts.
Merga's feat also gave him the fastest half marathon time in the world this year and he was thankful to the cool weather and a flat track for his achievements. But his success was not without some tense moments. He ran almost neck to neck with Kipsang for the better part of the race, but towards the end it appeared as if he was going to be upstaged by his Kenyan rival. "It was a close fight, but I believe I did quite well to stay in the lead till the end," said Mergia, who had started as the favourite having recorded his previous personal best of 59:16 last year.
"We were really nervous towards the end. We did not wish to see a repeat of Beijing here. But thankfully that did not happen as he gave his best in the final moments," said Hussain, manager of the Ethiopian athletes. Rwandan Diudone Disi, the winner at the last edition, could not match the relentless effort of his more fancied rivals and settled for a fifth-place finish. The women's section also saw the race going down to the wire, but Mergia did not let an injured leg affect her performance. She was also helped by the absence of the defending champion Derebe Alemu of Ethiopia who was out injured.
"I ran with a lot of caution since the leg was hurting. But in the last 5km I pushed myself to the limit," Mergia said after the first major victory of her career. "I enjoyed running here and would like to come back again next here," she added.
Amongst the Indians, the surprise package was Sandeep, who stunned all by romping home in style. "I was aiming for a top-five finish. I never expected to finish the race this way," he said.
Favourite Olympian Surendra Singh came a distant fifth while defending champion Ram Singh Yadav did not take part in the event.
Merga reaps capital benefit
Mergia Claims Women’s Crown Despite Running On Injured Leg
Source - epaper.timesofindia.com.
He missed out on a medal at the Beijing Olympics by a whisker. But on Sunday, Deriba Merga did not let that happen again as he held his nerve to emerge victorious in the men's category of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday.
It could well have been yet another case of so near yet so far for the Ethiopian, who was leading at one stage in the marathon event at the Olympics in August but subsequently finished fourth after failing to push himself in the last 400 metres. The 28-year-old, however, gave his best shot in the final moments here to emerge champion with a personal best timing of 59:15 minutes in the $210,000 event. His feat also was a new meet record and the first time that a
sub-60 minute timing was achieved in this event. Wilson Kipsang (59:15) and Wilson Chebet (59:34), both from Kenya, took the second and third positions respectively.
In the women's section, runners from Ethiopia dominated the closely fought contest with Aselefech Mergia winning the gold with a timing of 68:17 minutes followed by compatriot Genet Getenet (68:18). Third place went to Peninah Arusei (68:20) of Kenya. Both the men's and women's winners were richer by $25,000 each. Sandeep Kumar (64:53), Kashinath (64:58) and Deep Chand (64:56) took the first three positions in Indian men's category. Honours in the Indian women section went to defending champion Kavitha Raut (77:12), Preethi Rao (77:20) and Sudha Singh (77:39). Sandeep and Kavitha earned $4,000 each for their efforts.
Merga's feat also gave him the fastest half marathon time in the world this year and he was thankful to the cool weather and a flat track for his achievements. But his success was not without some tense moments. He ran almost neck to neck with Kipsang for the better part of the race, but towards the end it appeared as if he was going to be upstaged by his Kenyan rival. "It was a close fight, but I believe I did quite well to stay in the lead till the end," said Mergia, who had started as the favourite having recorded his previous personal best of 59:16 last year.
"We were really nervous towards the end. We did not wish to see a repeat of Beijing here. But thankfully that did not happen as he gave his best in the final moments," said Hussain, manager of the Ethiopian athletes. Rwandan Diudone Disi, the winner at the last edition, could not match the relentless effort of his more fancied rivals and settled for a fifth-place finish. The women's section also saw the race going down to the wire, but Mergia did not let an injured leg affect her performance. She was also helped by the absence of the defending champion Derebe Alemu of Ethiopia who was out injured.
"I ran with a lot of caution since the leg was hurting. But in the last 5km I pushed myself to the limit," Mergia said after the first major victory of her career. "I enjoyed running here and would like to come back again next here," she added.
Amongst the Indians, the surprise package was Sandeep, who stunned all by romping home in style. "I was aiming for a top-five finish. I never expected to finish the race this way," he said.
Favourite Olympian Surendra Singh came a distant fifth while defending champion Ram Singh Yadav did not take part in the event.